Wednesday, October 23, 2013

I love youth ministry!

It started in the church.  Years ago, there were these people who belonged to the Single's Ministry who would take a vacation leave from their works just to be with us during youth camps and other fellowships. Years ago, there these men and women who prayed, wept and fasted for us.  I remember my prayer then: I wanted to be like them.  There was this desire in my heart that one day soon, when I will be of their age, I will also be speaking and testifying in front of the youth.  It was in the church where my passion for young people developed.  

Those who mentored us before now belong to different ministries.  They've got their own families now but we are their legacy.  We are living proofs that the time and effort they all exerted when they were in their single season were never wasted.  

And so I'd like to do the same.  I get excited every time I hear of youth jam and youth camp and other youth fellowships.  Work could be very demanding at times but there's this force inside that brings me back to where I started.  There's this burning urge to pack my bags, travel 12 hours just to see how these young people connect themselves to God.  

I am happy looking at them praise and worship.  I see myself in them years ago.  I see much of who I was before and it makes me smile.  I thank God.  I thank Him on how He has used the church and the people to help me respond to my call.  And in whatever and however way I can, I want to make my life count and be used in helping these youth realize their God-send dreams.  

I am standing with the youth and I pray that their generation will better shape the human history. :)



1. The first photo was taken last October 18, a prelude to the church's anniversary
2. Second photo was taken in April during the summer youth camp.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

I think of you

I think of you now.  I think of the years ahead us.  I think of the kids kissing and hugging and laughing and sharing stories with us.  I think of you and me having those white hairs.  I think of our wrinkled faces.  I think of how we would lovingly smile at each other 50 years from now.  I think of how we are going to talk about our past; of how we would heartily laugh at all the jokes we had when we were younger.  I think of how you would still look at me despite the fading traces of our youth.  I think of how I would still admire your manhood, your authority even with the days slowly taking your physical strength.  I think of how our eyes would glow as our grandchildren would come running to hear our stories from long ago.  I smile as I see us chasing them.  I smile as I see myself coaching our daughter on how to become a good mom and you, coaching her husband on how to become a real man.  I think of you now and it makes me want to cry.  I think of me and you and I smile.

I think of you even if I do not know who you are.  I think of you even if  I have no idea on how God will lead you to me.  I think of you.  I think of you and I feel even more in love with you.  Wherever you are, I hope you feel this.  Whatever you are doing now, I hope that somehow, somewhere in your heart, you feel this little kick of longing too. 

I think of you now.  I think of what you may possibly be doing.  I think of how God is working in you.  I smile even as I imagine that day when you will come.  I smile as I see you coming before me, sweeping me off my feet and leaving me totally speechless.  Oh that I may hug you on that day.

I think of you now.  I will think of you in the coming days, in the coming months.  I guess, there will never be a time when I won’t be thinking of you.  Until we meet face to face.  Until we reach that moment when we both wouldn't know how to tell the story of you, finding me, and me, waiting for you. 

Until then my dearest.   Until you find me.  Until I see you.  Until we meet.  

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Proud Ate

I can never be more proud as an Ate to my three siblings.  They've grown to be beautiful and fine young ladies.  I guess, the four of us will always be testaments to how good our parents are and looking at how each of us has grown and rose above childhood caprices, mommy and daddy must have really done a good job.

Last September 29, during our Mom's birthday, I challenged them to write and post their message in Facebook.  They are not into writing as I am into it but gee, reading their works really make me proud and Mommy must have been so happy, too.  Sharing their messages below: :)
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Divine's Message:

I really don’t know how to start this message of mine, will I thank you first or will I just say “Happy Birthday” and just end this. But then I realized I would like the world to know how blessed I’ am to have you, the coolest mother in this world, as my mom.

So here it goes.

Mom do you remember when you always text me “Anakko Innta agdate" ? Those times when you tell me “Kayam ata anakko, sika pay!”. Those times when you always tell me “I LOVE YOU” every time you end our phone conversation? Those times when you and dad do those "corny" and "cheesy" stuff in front of us? Those times when you keep on calling just to know where I am? Those times when you won’t sleep unless I’m home? Those times when you hugged me before we go to sleep? Those times when you immediately wipe those tears from your eyes just so we can’t see that you’re hurting? Those were the times mom when I realized that I’m highly favored because God has given me best mother in this world.

You see mom, those simple things that you do are the things that made my sisters and I see this imperfect world in a different light. Those were the times when you unconsciously taught us to live our lives to the fullest but still in the presence of God. Thank you mom for your love that will never end. 
This day is your day mom and the only prayer that I have for you is this, may God answer all your prayers and may He continually make you a blessing not only to us but to every person you meet.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY! I LOVE YOU ! MUAH 
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Merryl's Message:

Ma,you of all people knows that writing is not my forte but i'll try my best to put into words how much i appreciate the things you have done and are doing for me,for us. I may not be good at words but i hope through this i may be able to express how much i love u and how grateful i am to God because He gave the most wonderful woman to be my mother.

You're my best shopping buddy because you pay for the things i get(haha). You're my no.1 listener when i need someone to hear all my dilemmas in school. You're my no.1 defender whenever divine teases me about us going to graduate at the same year. And lastly, you and dadsung were the first to believe that in the future,i will succeed in all my endeavors.

Thank you ma for never getting tired of me. Thank you for giving me the best example of being a mother and surely when i'll have my own children, i know it will not be that hard for me to raise them because you've shown me how it should be done. Thank you for loving us dearly. And ma, I love you so much. Just wait a little more, you and daddy, my sisters and I will be the sweetest fruits of your love and hard work. Happy birthday Mommy! I love you to the fullest.
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April's Message

Looking at myself and at my siblings now, I am amazed on how you managed to raise us all. I know it wasn't easy 4 u to divide your time.It wasn't easy 4 u to travel from Quirino to 2ge,2ge to manila,manila to Quirino and back to 2ge again just to spend time with us. You even had an accident by doing that but still,it didn't stop u from being the good mother that you are. You've shown us courage and when things seem hopeless,we draw our strength from you. There were times when we felt afraid but we never wavered because we knew that you are always there for us. You never fail to cheer us up and affirm us that we can be the best in everything we do and true enough, the best of who we are comes from you. You are a wondermom and know that all your efforts and sacrifices are appreciated. You have given more than enough and it is my prayer that we can also make you proud as a mother. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM and know that I love you so much. You are the best,nothing and no one can ever replace you in my heart.